Meryl Streep has played them all: Margaret Thatcher, Susan Orlean and the iconic Julia Child. No matter the lady, from iron to soft-spoken beauty, Streep manages to transfix her audience. It's this skill that has earned the 62-year-old 16 Academy Award nominations (the most of any actor) and two Oscars,first for best supporting actress in 1979, and then for best actress in 1982.

Meryl Streep has played them all: Margaret Thatcher, Susan Orlean and the iconic Julia Child. No matter the lady, from iron to soft-spoken beauty, Streep manages to transfix her audience. It's this skill that has earned the 62-year-old 16 Academy Award nominations (the most of any actor) and two Oscars,first for best supporting actress in 1979, and then for best actress in 1982. (Columbia Pictures and Pathe Productions)

Meryl Streep has played them all: Margaret Thatcher, Susan Orlean and the iconic Julia Child. No matter the lady, from iron to soft-spoken beauty, Streep manages to transfix her audience. It's this skill that has earned the 62-year-old 16 Academy Award nominations (the most of any actor) and two Oscars,first for best supporting actress in 1979, and then for best actress in 1982.